With ready tongues the eunuchs reported all the old woman and boy had observed.
"Continue," commanded the pacha, as they both ceased speaking, "continue."
"Master, we have nothing further to report."
"You are a couple of blockheads," observed their gracious master.
"Goods, table-ware, provisions—you know nothing else."
"No, lord and master, we know of nothing else."
"But the one thing, the most important, tell me: where did the boulouk bashi pass the night?"
"Master, we believe he passed it in his house."
"You only believe it? This night you must know. But take notice of this: Be careful not to injure himself or his property. His person and his property shall not be touched this I have sworn. Yet know this: If you do not tell me tomorrow morning where the boulouk bashi has passed the night, you shall both receive the bastinado, and after such a fashion that you will find walking anything but pleasant, and yet I will have you driven through the city in search of the information you are so slow in getting."
With a gesture of the hand he motioned to them to leave the room, and they withdrew as they had entered, on their knees. After closing the door behind them, they jumped hastily to their feet.
"The bastinado! Did you hear?" asked the one, "We must find out at every cost where the boulouk bashi passes the night. But how can we? We are neither to injure his property, nor to touch him or what belongs to him. We are not allowed to open his door or break into his house; what are we to do?"